Tashika Sethi
Aug 28, 2017 · 4 min read

Medical Treatment in India

The skyrocketing cost of healthcare is becoming an epidemic and people all over the world are finding themselves unable to pay medical bills, under this perturbing situation India has become a highly sought destination because of its low-cost treatments paired with advanced technology and highly skilled doctors. The difference between cost of treatment in the west and India is miles apart. A heart bypass surgery in the US costs $144,000, whereas, in India, the same surgery costs $5,200. There are several other attractions that are bringing people to India — one of them, India is the epicenter of cultural and ethnic diversity, millions of people visit India for that sole reason.

The Healthcare System of India

The health care sector of India is largely dominated by the private sector. There are hundreds of 5-star hospitals all around the country that employ the best surgeons and specialists; they are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology and luxurious facilities.

Private sector enjoys 74 percent of the total health care expenditure in the country by both national and international patients. This has given a much-needed boost to the industry and acted as a catalyst for larger investments into more advanced technologies. Some top hospitals in the country deploy machinery that costs in the billions for the treatment of patients. The players in the private sector are not just Indian companies, there is a growing presence of international hospital brands in India, further escalating the advancement of the sector.

All this is deemed to benefit the patients as increased competitions will result in the increment of competition and hence, better services and reduced cost will be offered to attract the customers. This will prompt more foreign patients to seek medical tourism in India.

The government of India is also playing it role by making the process of granting visas to patients more convenient and accessible. It has also made policy changes for the purpose of encouraging the sector to become the global destination for medical tourism.

Apart from treatment and care, India has since long had an unyielding presence in the pharmaceutical industry with major players in the sector and one of the major exporters of medicine to more than 180 countries.

Standards of Hospitals and Doctors

With every hospital competing to attract more foreign patient it has become pivotal for hospitals to get accredited, which guarantees a safe and conducive environment. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is the body of the government of India that ensures the quality of service offered by hospitals and clinics. In order to get more credibility, many hospitals choose to get an ISO 9001 certificate which is a private body.

The Medical Council of India is the main body that every doctor in India needs to be registered with in order to practice in India. The Indian Medical Association is the body that looks after the interest of the doctors. And the Indian Health Care Federation is the body that liaisons the relationship between the government, health care providers, health care equipment manufacturers, and other bodies.

Why Choose India for Medical Treatment?

India can be your prime destination for treatment because of numerous reasons, but there are some that stand out and which can render peace and tranquility in your life. You will not have to worry about the rising medical expenditure, the constant wait for your turn in your home country. The reasons are quite explicit — the currency of the developed countries are far greater in value which means that for a lesser amount you can get a better service. The doctors of India are world renowned and the surgeons of India are especially famous. The cost of medicine in India is far cheaper than the west; you can choose other forms of treatment apart from the conventional western methods. These days there is a growing awareness of Yoga and Ayurveda in the west and a large number of people travel to India for the purpose of Yogic treatment. There are several other benefits that come as a package — once healed, the patients can take the benefit of being in India and admire the picturesque beauty of Kerala and the remarkable history of the country. India can also be your preferred destination because of the ease of travel and accommodation, a very large population of the country speaks English, the largest population in any non-native English speaking country.

Comparison of Treatment Cost in Various Countries

A heart bypass in the US costs $144,000; in Korea it costs $28900; Mexico $27,000; and in India it costs $5200. A Heart Valve Replacement in the US costs $170,000; in Korea it costs $43,500; Mexico $18,000; and in India a mere $5,500. A Knee Replacement in the US costs $50,000; in Korea the same treatment costs $19,800; in Mexico it costs $12,000; and in India it is $6,200. Let’s take a Gastric Bypass, it costs $32,923 in the US, in Mexico $10,950, in Thailand $16,667; and only $5000 in India.

India with its highly qualified doctors and the government making the process as easy as possible for the foreign patients, it can be the destination and the solution to the health care problem that the world is facing today. The people in India are friendly and tolerant; it can be the perfect destination for the treatment of your ailment and a nice vacation for you and your loved ones.

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